obi: LOW (H 245mm x W 300mm)
Giving new value to used seatbelts.
This is an assembly stool made from discarded car seatbelts and Latvian white birch plywood, 100% made from planted trees.
The LOW size is an excellent height for gardening, shoe polishing, and more!
With many new cars manufactured and sold each year, approximately 3.5 million cars are discarded annually in Japan. While Japan's automobile recycling rate is said to be in the high 90s, and the technology is impressive, airbags and seatbelts are incredibly strong and have a special construction, making them difficult and time-consuming to reuse. Unfortunately, many of them are currently disposed of.
obi is a stool made by combining discarded seatbelts, which are particularly difficult to utilize alone, with Latvian white birch plywood from 100% planted trees. It has a simple structure that uses no nails or metal fittings.
Planted trees: Refers to planting trees in areas after logging, mainly for timber production. Proper care, such as weeding and thinning, leads to forest and environmental conservation.
White birch plywood: Three times stronger than general structural plywood and excellent in water resistance.
The name "obi" comes from the link between the three taut belts (obi) and the form of the kanji character "帯" (obi, meaning belt).
With the cooperation of wood craftsman Hisashi Kaku and contemporary artisan Mizuguchi Gucchi, a wonderful stool has been completed that fits both interior and outdoor settings, which was previously unavailable.
There are roughly three color variations for the seatbelts:
Black, beige, and silver.
* Due to the use of reclaimed seatbelts, there are individual differences.
Please enjoy each piece's unique character.
Product Specifications
Main body material: Used seatbelts (100% polyester)
Latvian white birch
Dimensions: LOW (H 245mm x W 300mm)
Load capacity: 100kg (in conformity with JIS S 1203:1998 7.1)
Country of origin: Japan
Manufacture: EST Co., Ltd.
Design: Hisashi Kaku (Wood craftsman)
Support: Mizuguchi Gucchi (Contemporary artisan)
